A Classic Choice

Why is it so hard to convince parents to buy a piano? If they are going to invest in lessons, its only logical that they provide their students with an appropriate practice instrument. I know many teachers who require a piano from the beginning. I always tell parents that within 6 months to a year they will need to get a piano. But sometimes I feel as thought they’re not really listening.

This post will ultimately become a letter to parents. My purpose is to encourage those with keyboards to purchase a piano, or use a piano if they have access to both. Feel free to pass it along to parents who you think may benefit from the information. But please give proper credit to the source.

When it comes to practice instruments, I’ve seen it all. Full length keyboards, shortened keyboards, weighted keyboards, upright pianos, grand pianos, and yes, no instrument at all! There is definitely a hierarchy of appropriate practice instruments for all students alike — whether beginning, continuing, or advanced. Here’s how I would rank them, starting with the best.

The Grand

I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t say that a grand piano (in decent condition) is the best option. I have been playing piano all of my life, and I still have not been fortunate to own a grand piano. Once I am out of apartment living, purchasing a grand will be a high priority for me. The touch of a grand requires more power and finger strength than any upright. Even a 8-9 ft. instrument is more demanding than a 6-7 ft. grand piano. Admittedly, I normally practice at home on my upright, but when I prepare for a performance I find a way to practice on a grand.  This is because it takes time for me to build up endurance and regain sensitivity to the wide range of sounds that a grand is capable of producing.  If a student has this option, it is the best, but not necessarily a priority for earlier levels and ages.

The Upright (spinet, console, studio)

If a grand is not readily available, then the upright has to be the next best option for a student.  They are economical, take up little space, and allow students to build solid technique at the piano.  And, as opposed to a keyboard, students are greatly inspired to be playing “the real thing.” The upright is capable of producing variations of loud and soft sounds, and thus requires students to develop sensitive ears.  Listening is the foundation to producing beautiful sounds. Additionally, the touch has more resistance than a keyboard (even more than a weighted keyboard), so students must learn to use their arms and body to manipulate the sound they aim to create.

Electric or Digital Keyboard

Let’s say you were to purchase a top of the line keyboard: 88 weighted keys, digital interaction, a digitally recorded likeness of a grand piano, and capable of simulating hundreds of different instruments. A keyboard will NEVER top the value of a piano. I have taught students who practice on weighted keyboards, and still struggle to learn proper technique associated with touch and sound. Here’s why: a keyboard, no matter how technologically advanced, does not have the hammer mechanism. The action of a hammer striking a string is manipulated by manual, physical exertion. Sounds — loud and soft — are produced by the player’s varying degree of exertion. Less momentum going into the key creates a softer sound. In order to create louder sounds, more momentum into the key is required. Pianists learn to develop and control the use of arm weight to manipulate their playing. And like anything, when it can be learned early in piano training the technique becomes more natural.

Students practicing on a keyboard not only struggle to develop solid technique, they also have a lesser ability to produce controlled and even tone. Problems with keyboards are hard to recognize at home. But when a student is faced with an acoustic instrument of any kind, these struggles are apparent.

Keyboard vs. Piano: Weighing the options

Many parents have very good reasons as to why they do not want to buy an acoustic piano. The most common concern is the expense, coupled with a student’s indecision to commit long-term. I do understand that pianos can be very expensive. But two families that I work with have proven that pianos can be just as inexpensive as a keyboard, and may even cost less than a top of the line weighted keyboard. Both families purchased a used upright. One was found on Craig’s List ($650), and the other at an estate sale ($400). When searching for a used piano, its always best to have a trusted piano technician verify the condition of the instrument. There are a lot of great deals to be found. Happy piano hunting!

Special recognition of the blog photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffrey/129718601/